utilitarian

[yoo-til-i-tair-ee-uhn]

adjective

pertaining to or consisting in utility.

having regard to utility or usefulness rather than beauty, ornamentation, etc.

of, relating to, or adhering to the doctrine of utilitarianism.

noun

an adherent of utilitarianism.

Origin of utilitarian

First recorded in 1775–85; utilit(y) + -arian

Related formsan·ti·u·til·i·tar·i·an, adjective, nounnon·u·til·i·tar·i·an, adjective, nounun·u·til·i·tar·i·an, adjective

Synonyms for utilitarian

2. practical, useful, functional, sensible.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for non-utilitarian

utilitarian

adjective

of or relating to utilitarianism

designed for use rather than beauty

noun

a person who believes in utilitarianism

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for non-utilitarian

utilitarian

1781, coined by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) from utility. One guided by the doctrine of the greatest happiness for the greatest number.